FOTOLIA
A backyard deck is the perfect spot to relax on your own — or entertain friends and family.
If you’re thinking of upgrading your home, there’s one upgrade that should be top of mind: installing a deck.
There are several reasons why building a deck is a good investment. First, a deck allows you to add living space to your home at a fraction of the cost of what it takes to put up an enclosed space.
At about $25 to $35 per square foot, decks give you more bang for your buck than an enclosed addition, which typically costs about $100 to $250 per square foot to build.
Second, adding a deck to your home will make it much more livable and functional.
At a low cost, a deck allows you to extend your living space in spring summer and fall, providing a multi-purpose outdoor space that can be used to grill steaks and burgers, entertain, relax or be a play area.
There’s a third reason to add a back yard deck to your home: it increases your home’s value.
When you install a deck, you can typically recoup 70 per cent of the cost of building it by the amount it will raise the overall property value of your home.
A deck adds as much or even more value to your home than a living room or sun room addition. It also trumps the value of a bathroom renovation, too.
Not only does adding a deck to your home outstrip the value of other additions, it’s also one of the least time-consuming projects. Enlist the services of an experienced, reputable company that specializes in building decks, and you can be using your deck in two weeks — without a huge mess to clean up.
Then, there’s the payoff: once your deck is completed, it will add both function and looks to your home.
Because they can be built out of different materials — pressure-treated lumber, redwood, cedar, composite planks, plastic planks, even exotic woods — you can choose the look and texture that best suits your style — and then frame it with PVC or aluminum railing with spindles or tempered glass inserts to add the perfect finishing touch.
If you’re on a budget, pressure-treated lumber is a great choice. If you have the budget and are more of a purist, redwood or cedar not only look great, but contain tannins and oils that make their planks naturally resistant to rot, decay and insects.
Meanwhile, composite decking materials composed of wood fibres and plastic make for a durable, weather-resistant and safe (slip-resistant) surface. They are also a great, though more expensive choice. Plastic lumber (recycled or virgin), aluminum and exotic woods round of the list of decking materials.
No matter whether your deck is small, mid-sized or king-sized (it should be proportional to the size of your yard), there’s one undeniable fact: adding a backyard deck to your home is a great investment.
It will provide you with a place to entertain, increase your home’s value, give your home more visual appeal and allow you to extend your livable space in a quick, cost-effective manner.
Best of all, a deck can serve as a catalyst to creating a backyard getaway you can enjoy for many years to come.
lewys@mymts.net
